I usually keep my shoes out of boxes in a closet but keep a couple handy in case I need them for storage purposes. I recycle the boxes I don’t use. But then again, I don’t think I have that many shoes to begin with!

For a sneaker or flop? Never. For a good shoe? Always. Storage and space is tough in NYC and keeping them in their boxes works best for me… that is until of course, I need the pair on the bottom and the tower of boxes comes crashing down.

I do keep the boxes to store my “overflow” shoes, with polaroids of each pair on the outside for easy identification. My favourite shoes, however, are displayed on a large, open shelving unit in the hallway.

You ever meet one, you’ll understand that keeping the boxes for your shoes are just about a must. Even more so when you wear a large size like US 15 as I do. I’ve always liked shoes but I started keeping them in the boxes in 2002 out of necessity, as it’s the only way to keep things neat, since not everyone can afford to build a shoe closet like some guy on MTV Cribs.

In recent times, as I’ve started to buy more shoes from Ross and Nordstrom Rack (don’t sleep on either store), boxless shoes are beginning to accumulate. In order to box those for storage, my only option is to give away shoes that have seen better days and fallen into disuse. Hard task when the boxes preserve them so well and I rotate every single day.

For me, the absolute best solution is a couple of space-saving vertical fabric shoe cubbies hanging in the closet. Each has about ten slots. My everyday shoes of the season go in there to be grabbed quickly; nice/out of season/rarely worn ones stay in their boxes, and the one or two most recent purchases will be "on display" to be admired and worn in the here and now.